Method And Apparatus For Repairing A Jamb Of A Door Or Window
A method and apparatus are provided for repairing the jamb of a door, window, or the like, without removal or replacement of the jamb, through use of an elongated U-shaped channel adapted to slide over a portion of the jamb and be secured in place on the jamb. The channel includes slots therein for receipt of a latching mechanism where required.
This patent application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/411,526, filed Apr. 26, 2006 and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/676,330, filed Apr. 29, 2005, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThis invention relates to jambs of doors, and windows, and the like, and more particularly to repairing such jambs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAs shown in
After doors, windows, and the like are installed, their jambs 100 sometimes sag, warp, or are otherwise damaged in a manner that severely affects the aesthetic appearance, or the proper performance of the jamb 100. In the past, such sagging, warping, or damage has typically necessitated removal and replacement of the jamb 100, a process that is undesirably complex and costly.
For example, where a door is “kicked in” during a forced entry, an elongated chunk 112 of the jamb, extending on either side of a door latch striker plate 114 is typically broken out of the door jamb 100, as illustrated in
In the past, where a door jamb 100 has been broken, as illustrated in
It is desirable, therefore, to provide a method and apparatus for effectively and efficiently repairing the jambs of doors, windows, and the like, quickly, and at minimum expense, without the need for removal and replacement of any portion of the jamb 100.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe invention provides a method and apparatus for repairing the jamb of a door, window, or the like, without removal and replacement of the jamb through use of an elongated U-shaped channel, adapted to slide over a portion of the jamb and be secured in place on the jamb. The U-shaped channel may be formed from any appropriate material, such as metal, plastic, or composite materials. The channel may be secured in place by fasteners, such as screws and/or nails, and/or through use of an adhesive.
In some forms of the invention, a channel, according to the invention, includes a first and second leg thereof joined by a U-shaped bight. One or both of the legs of the channel may include slots or holes therein for receipt of a door latch. The legs of the channel may also include aligned through-holes therein, for passage of fasteners to anchor the channel to the door jamb and/or structural members forming the rough opening.
In some forms of the invention, a channel according to the invention is further utilized for replacing a latch strike plate. A channel, according to the invention, may also be adapted for reattachment of the strike plate as part of repairing the jamb.
A channel, according to the invention, may include two or more holes and/or elongated slots for receipt therein of latching and locking components of both a latch attached directly to a door handle, and a separate latch of a deadbolt lock.
In some forms of the invention, a channel, according to the invention, is formed from a material that is decorative, or coated to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance, or resistance to degradation by environmental factors. The channel may also be adapted for receiving a coat of paint, or other decorative covering, for matching the finish of the door jamb.
The invention may be practiced in a variety of forms, including an apparatus for repairing a jamb, a method for repairing a jamb, or a method for fabricating an apparatus for repairing a jamb. An apparatus, according to the invention, may include a channel, according to the invention, or take the form of a repair kit including a channel, according to the invention, and instructions and/or fasteners required for installing the channel on the jamb.
Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONAs shown in
Those having skill in the art will recognize, from the descriptions above and an examination of the drawing figures, that the slots 210, 212 in the channel 202 of the exemplary embodiment can be utilized as a strike plate for the latch 118, of the repaired door jamb 100. In some embodiments of the invention, however, the original latch strike plate 120 may be reinstalled, after repair of the jamb 100 with the channel 202, as shown in
In order to effect a repair of a typical door jamb 100 having a chunk 112 broken out thereof, as shown in
With the piece 111 of the casing removed, the channel 202 is fitted into place over the inside, broken edge of the jamb 100, with the first leg 204 of the channel facing the door opening, and the second leg 206 of the channel 202 extending into the gap 108 into the jamb 100 and the rough opening 102. The channel 202 is moved up and/or down along the jamb 100 to a position at which the latch or latches 118 will engage the slots 210, 212 in the first leg of the channel 202, and a pair of short screws are driven into the jamb 100 through a pair of holes 215, as shown in
The door may then be closed and opened to check proper alignment of the channel 202 with the latches 118. If necessary, the short screws extending through the pair of holes 215 may be removed and the channel 202 repositioned along the jamb 100 to achieve a proper fit.
When the channel 202 is properly positioned, the channel 202 is permanently secured in place on the jamb 100 by driving the long screws 216, as shown in
As shown in
Those having skill in the art will recognize, that although the above disclosure has been directed to repairing a portion of a door jamb 100 having a chunk 112 broken out from around a latch striker plate 114, the invention may also be practiced for repairing sagging portions 99 of a jamb 100 in the manner illustrated in
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventor for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor intends for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Claims
1-24. (canceled)
25. An apparatus for fixed installation about a portion of a jamb, of a door or a window or the like, wherein:
- the jamb includes an inside surface thereof adjacent the door or window or the like, an outside surface thereof opposite the inside surface and facing supporting structure around the jamb, and an inside edge of the jamb joining the inside and outside surfaces of the jamb;
- the jamb defines a damaged and an undamaged state of the portion of the jamb;
- the apparatus alternatively reinforces the jamb when the jamb is in an undamaged state and repairs the jamb when the jamb is in a damaged state; and
- the apparatus comprises, an elongated U-shaped channel, having first and second spaced legs thereof joined by a bight section and spaced for sliding over and encompassing the portion of the jamb with one of the legs disposed adjacent the outside surface of the jamb, the other of the legs disposed adjacent the inside surface of the jamb and the U-shaped bight disposed adjacent the inside edge of the jamb.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising, one or more fasteners for securing the U-shaped channel to the jamb at the one or more locations about the portion of the jamb.
27. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising, an adhesive for securing the U-shaped channel to the jamb at the one or more locations about the portion of the jamb.
28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein, the U-shaped channel further comprises latch strike plate elements thereof for functioning as a latch strike plate in place of a latch strike plate formerly attached to the portion of the jamb.
29. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein, the U-shaped channel further comprises strike plate attachment elements thereof for attachment to the U-shaped channel of an existing latch strike plate formerly attached to the portion of the jamb.
30. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein, one or both of the first and second legs of the U-shaped channel includes a slot or other opening therein for receipt of a door latch.
31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein, at least one of the legs of the U-shaped channel includes two or more holes and/or elongated slots for receipt therein of latching and locking components of both a latch attached directly to a door handle and a separate latch or deadbolt lock.
32. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the first and second legs include aligned through-holes therein for passage therethrough of fasteners to anchor the U-shaped channel to the jamb at the one or more locations about the portion of the jamb.
33. The apparatus of claim 32, further comprising, fasteners adapted for passage through the aligned through holes.
34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein, the jamb is adjacent a structural member of a rough opening, and the fasteners are long enough to pass through the jamb, both legs of the U-shaped channel and into the structural member.
35. A method for reinforcing a portion of a jamb, of a door or a window or the like, or for repairing the portion of the jamb after the portion of the jamb has been damaged, wherein:
- the jamb includes an inside surface thereof adjacent the door or window or the like, an outside surface thereof opposite the inside surface and facing supporting structure around the jamb, and an inside edge of the jamb joining the inside and outside surfaces of the jamb;
- the jamb defines a damaged and an undamaged state of the portion of the jamb;
- the apparatus alternatively reinforces the jamb when the jamb is in an undamaged state and repairs the jamb when the jamb is in a damaged state; and
- the method comprises, sliding an elongated U-shaped channel, having first and second spaced legs thereof joined by a bight section, over the portion of the jamb in such a manner that the U-shaped channel encompasses the portion of the jamb, and attaching the U-shaped channel to the jamb at one or more locations disposed about the portion of the jamb with one of the legs disposed adjacent the outside surface of the jamb, the other of the legs disposed adjacent the inside surface of the jamb and the U-shaped bight disposed adjacent the inside edge of the jamb.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising, securing the U-shaped channel to the jamb using one or more fasteners at the one or more locations about the portion of the jamb.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein, the jamb is adjacent a structural member of a rough opening, the first and second legs include aligned through-holes therein for passage therethrough of the fasteners, and the fasteners are long enough to pass through the jamb and into the structural member, and the method further comprises driving the fasteners through the through holes and jamb and into the structural member.
38. The method of claim 35, wherein, the U-shaped channel further comprises latch strike plate elements thereof for functioning as a latch strike plate in place of a latch strike plate formerly attached to the portion of the jamb, and the method further comprises positioning the U-shaped channel about the portion of the jamb to replace the latch strike plate formerly attached to the portion of the jamb.
39. The method of claim 35, wherein, the U-shaped channel is adapted for attachment thereto of an existing latch strike plate formerly attached to the jamb, and the method includes attaching the latch strike plate to the U-shaped channel.
40. The method of claim 35, wherein, one or both of the first and second legs of the U-shaped channel includes a slot or other opening therein for receipt of a door latch, and the method further comprises, aligning the opening for receipt therein of the door latch.
41. The method of claim 35, wherein, at least one of the legs of the U-shaped channel includes two or more holes and/or elongated slots for receipt therein of latching and locking components of both a latch attached directly to a door handle and a separate latch or deadbolt lock, and the method includes aligning the two or more holes and/or elongated slots for receipt therein of latching and locking components of both the latch attached directly to the door handle and the separate latch or deadbolt lock.
42. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein, the portion of the jamb includes a twisted section thereof, and the method further comprises, at least partially removing the twist from the twisted section through installation of the U-shaped channel.
43. A method for reinforcing a portion of a jamb, of a door or a window or the like, or for repairing the portion of the jamb after the portion of the jamb has been damaged, wherein the jamb includes an inside surface thereof adjacent the door or window or the like, an outside surface thereof opposite the inside surface and facing supporting structure around the jamb, and an inside edge of the jamb joining the inside and outside surfaces of the jamb, the method comprising, sliding an elongated U-shaped channel, having first and second spaced legs thereof joined by a bight section, over the portion of the jamb in such a manner that the U-shaped channel encompasses the portion of the jamb, and attaching the U-shaped channel to the jamb at one or more locations disposed about the portion of the jamb with one of the legs disposed adjacent the outside surface of the jamb, the other of the legs disposed adjacent the inside surface of the jamb and the U-shaped bight disposed adjacent the inside edge of the jamb;
- wherein, the portion of the jamb includes a sagging section thereof, and the method further comprises, at least partially removing the sag from the sagging section through installation of the U-shaped channel.
44. The method of claim 35, wherein, the portion of the jamb includes a chunk broken out thereof to form a broken inside edge section of the portion of the jamb, and the method further comprises, covering the broken inside edge section of the jamb with the U-shaped channel, in such a manner that part of the U-shaped bight of the U-shaped channel comprises a new inside edge of the jamb spanning the broken inside edge section of the jamb.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein, the chunk broken out of the portion of the jamb includes a latch strike plate, the U-shaped channel further comprises latch strike plate elements thereof for functioning as a latch strike plate in place of the latch strike plate formerly attached to the broken out chunk of the portion of the jamb, and the method further comprises positioning the U-shaped channel about the chunk broken out of the portion of the jamb to replace the latch strike plate attached to the chunk broken out of the portion of the jamb.
46. The method of claim 44, wherein, the chunk broken out of the portion of the jamb includes a latch strike plate, the U-shaped channel is adapted for attachment thereto of the existing latch strike plate formerly attached to the jamb, and the method further comprises, removing the latch strike plate from the chunk broken out of the portion of the jamb and attaching the latch strike plate to the U-shaped channel.
47. The combination of a jamb and an apparatus having a portion subject to damage, thereby defining a damaged and an undamaged state of the portion of the jamb, and an apparatus for alternatively reinforcing the jamb when the jamb is in an undamaged state and for repairing the jamb when the jamb is in a damaged state:
- wherein the jamb includes an inside surface thereof adjacent the door or window or the like, an outside surface thereof opposite the inside surface and facing supporting structure around the jamb, and an inside edge of the jamb joining the inside and outside surfaces of the jamb; and
- the apparatus comprises, an elongated U-shaped channel, having first and second spaced legs thereof joined by a bight section;
- the apparatus being disposed over and encompassing the portion of the jamb when the jamb is in the undamaged state and attached to the jamb at one or more locations disposed about the portion of the jamb with one of the legs disposed adjacent the outside surface of the jamb, the other of the legs disposed adjacent the inside surface of the jamb and the U-shaped bight disposed adjacent the inside edge of the jamb, whereby the apparatus reinforces the portion of the jamb in the undamaged state;
- the apparatus being disposed over and encompassing the portion of the jamb in the damaged state and attached to the jamb at one or more locations disposed about the portion of the jamb with one of the legs disposed adjacent the outside surface of the jamb, the other of the legs disposed adjacent the inside surface of the jamb and the U-shaped bight disposed adjacent the inside edge of the jamb, whereby the apparatus repairs the portion of the jamb in the damaged state.
48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein:
- at least one of the legs of the U-shaped channel includes two or more openings extending therethrough for receipt therein of latching and locking components of both a latch attached directly to a door handle and a separate latch or deadbolt lock; and
- means for securing the U-shaped channel to the jamb.
49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein, the U-shaped channel is adapted to replace a latch strike plate formerly attached to the jamb.
50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein:
- the means for securing the U-shaped channel to the jamb are fasteners;
- the first and second legs include aligned through-holes therein for passage therethrough of the fasteners to anchor the U-shaped channel to the jamb;
- the jamb is adjacent a structural member of a rough opening; and
- the fasteners are long enough to pass through the jamb and into the structural member.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 8, 2008
Publication Date: Mar 26, 2009
Inventor: Philip E. Barthel (Rockford, IL)
Application Number: 12/330,140
International Classification: E06B 1/04 (20060101);